We gear up for the spring festival with one veteran, one newcomer.

The 2013 edition of the Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival is just a few weeks away. To preview the annual music marathon, which draws 20 percent of its audience from San Diego County, we’ll profile some of the most interesting performers. Our format, each week between now and Coachella’s April 12-14 opening weekend, is to focus on one veteran act and one relative newcomer booked for the sold-out festival.

Today’s subjects are “Satisfaction” mainstay Italian DJ / producer Benny Benassi, and Jessie Ware -- a rising star electronic songstress out of the UK. And here is where I officially request a Ware cover of Benassi’s addictive jam “Cinema.”

First song of note: “Running” was released as the lead single on her debut album Devotion on February 24, 2012. The chorus drum loop is said to be based on Prince’s “The Ballad of Dorothy Parker.”

Most recent song: Her voice may be soft and soothing, but Jessie isn’t afraid to speak her mind. Following sample dispute drama with Big Punisher’s team for her song “110%” she reportedly shouted “F* Big Pun!” at a concert in New York in December of 2012. The song uses a clip from the late rapper’s song “Dream Shattered,” and the name was a spin off his song “100%.” Jessie’s song has been renamed “If You’re Never Gonna Move,” and the sample lyrics have also been updated.

What you need to know: Dubstep fans will recognize Jessie’s voice from the underground scene with bass-heavy producers like SBTRKT and Julio Bashmore. SBTRKT, real name Aaron Jerome, is a London-based producer who performs behind an oversized tribal mask to keep his face a mystery. Jessie is the featured vocalist on SBTRKT tracks “Nervous” and “Right Thing To Do,” among others.

Now a solo artist, Jessie is being compared to soulful singers from Sade to Aaliyah. Critics have agreed, it’s not so much a similar sound, but a similar essence. Jessie’s warm, sensual voice is effortless. She is the new face of British female electronic music, without giving in to electro-pop expectations. Don’t expect to hear Jessie on the next dance anthem with Afrojack. But there may be a collaboration with R&B breakout star Frank Ocean in the future. She told the Village Voice about her obsession: “I'm a bit worried Frank Ocean's going to issue some kind of restraining order on me [laughs]. I just love his vibe.”

Growing up in the ‘90s, Jessie listened to a spread of American R&B. TLC, SWV, Destiny’s Child and Lauryn Hill were on constant rotation.

The gamble: It’s all about who you know. An old schoolmate of Jessie’s, folk-rocker Jack Penate, reached out and invited her to sing backup vocals during a radio session. One gig turned into a U.S. tour, and Jessie was soon singing vocals for Joker, Sampha and SBTRKT.